“Supporting priests nurtures the heart of our faith communities.” This is the invitation the Italian Church extends to the faithful to mark the 37th National Day for Clergy Livelihood, to be celebrated on Sunday, 21 September 2025. This simple gesture has great ecclesial significance, combining shared responsibility and gratitude. “The National Day”, says Massimo Monzio Compagnoni, director of the Service for the Promotion of Financial Support to the Catholic Church, highlights “the importance of priestly ministry and the beauty of their service, as well as the shared responsibility of the Catholic community. It’s an opportunity to express gratitude to the shepherds of faith, hope, and compassion who dedicate their lives to the community every day. Offering them material support is not just about providing financial assistance; it is also a tangible sign of fraternity and engagement in the life of the Church.”
In today’s world, priests serve as invaluable sources of guidance, bearing witness to the Gospel in everyday life. They are true builders of genuine relationships, crucial anchors for families in distress, for lonely elderly people, and for the disoriented youth of today. With discretion and devotion, they devote their time, attention, and energy to accompanying journeys of faith, creating networks of solidarity, giving a face to a Church that embodies proximity and welcome.
A joint responsibility that everyone should take on
Alongside the invitation to be generous, the purpose of the Day is to raise awareness on a frequently overlooked fact: “Many people mistakenly believe that Sunday Mass offerings are sufficient to support the clergy,” observes Monzio Compagnoni. “But in many cases, those donations alone are insufficient. The fact that tax-deductible donations to the Central Institute for Supporting the Clergy (ICSC) account for less than 2% of the total annual support needed is a cause for reflection.”
In 2024, donations totalled €7.9 million which supported the livelihoods of over 31,000 priests serving in Italy’s 226 dioceses. Among them were 250 fidei donum missionaries and 2,517 retired or sick priests who continued to exemplify a life of self-giving even after concluding their active ministry.
The overall cost of supporting the clergy in 2024 amounted to €522 million before taxes. This sum comprised net monthly supplementary contributions, charges, social security contributions and insurance. In addition to tax-deductible donations, these costs are covered by the clergy’s personal income (15.9%), remuneration from parishes and ecclesiastical bodies (7%), revenues from diocesan institutes (6.8%), and funds resulting from the voluntary donation of eight per thousand of personal income tax (68.8%). These figures reflect the Church’s commitment and the need for greater and more informed participation on the part of the faithful.
A charitable donation that signifies belonging
Although tax-deductible charitable donations were enshrined in the last revision of the Concordat over forty years ago, they remain a valuable yet little-known and underutilised tool today. Every priest, Monzio Compagnoni emphasises, represents a life dedicated entirely to others. Every donation, no matter how small, is a way of saying “thank you”, offering tangible support to our priests and enabling them to continue their active presence in parishes.” Donations can be made safely and easily on the website, with an option of several payment methods: postal account, credit card, PayPal, bank transfer and direct payment to the diocesan institutes for the support of the clergy.
Donations are tax-deductible up to a maximum of €1,032.91 per year, provided that payment receipts are kept.
The portal also offers a monthly newsletter subscription service, sharing updates and real-life stories of priests and religious communities from across Italy who, day after day, reflect the loving, welcoming and supportive face of the Church. “The Day is not just a fundraising campaign,” concludes Monzio Compagnoni. “It’s an opportunity to rediscover the value of the priestly ministry, and to feel part of a living Church made up of people, relationships and vocations committed to building the common good with the Gospel in their hands and in their hearts.”
